44th Coppa Sila hillclimb set for decisive single run

The 44th Coppa Sila hillclimb, organised by the Automobile Club Cosenza, enters its decisive phase with the race scheduled for Sunday, 30 August at 10:00. Competitors will tackle the demanding 9.5-kilometre Silan course in a single timed ascent, with no opportunity for a second attempt.

Two reconnaissance runs on Saturday allowed drivers and teams to study the selective Calabrian track and refine their setups ahead of the main event. Low grip conditions during the morning sessions made interpretation of the course particularly challenging, placing emphasis on driving precision, chassis setup and the ability to find the optimal pace quickly. Samuele Cassibba set the day's fastest time of 5'05.16 in the second reconnaissance run, piloting a Nova Proto V8 3000. Francesco Leogrande followed closely in an Osella PA, drawing on his familiarity with the track's most treacherous sections, including the dramatic forest straight. Ettore Bassi in a Nova Proto NP 03 described the course as one of Italy's most selective challenges.

The event forms the 12th round of the Italian Mountain Speed Championship South and carries the Domenico Scola Trophy. Competition spans multiple categories: Gabry Driver impressed in the GT class aboard a Ferrari 458, while Antonio Aquila showed strong pace in the Racing Start group in a Seat Leon. Domenico Tomaselli (Peugeot 106 R, E1 class), Felice Romano (Osella PA21, CN group) and Adolfo Eusebio (Audi SR3, TCR) also featured among the standout performers. The Italian Two-Cylinder Championship will see Angelo Mercuri and Mirko Paletta, both in Fiat 500s, competing for honours, while historic cars included Ciro Barbaccia in an Osella PA9 and Luigi Perrotta in a Citroën Saxo.

Race start is at 10:00 on Sunday. Prize presentations will take place in the closed park 30 minutes after the final competitor in each class crosses the finish line.